Most banks close on Veterans Day, but some branches stay open depending on where you bank and what day the holiday falls on
Yes, the vast majority of banks in the United States close on Veterans Day (November 11). This is a federal holiday, and most traditional banks—including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and Citibank—shut their physical branches for the day. However, the specifics depend on which bank you use, whether you need a physical branch or can use ATMs and online banking, and whether November 11 falls on a weekday or weekend.
If Veterans Day lands on a Saturday or Sunday, most banks will observe the holiday on the nearest weekday instead. When November 11 falls on a Friday, banks close that day. When it falls on a Monday, banks close that day. The key point: you will not be able to walk into a branch or speak to a teller on the actual holiday or its observed date.
ATMs and online banking typically remain available even when branches are closed. You can withdraw cash, check balances, transfer money between accounts, and pay bills from your phone or computer. Wire transfers and other services that require staff may be delayed until the next business day.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly all major banks close their physical branches on Veterans Day, whether it falls on a weekday or is observed on the nearest weekday when it falls on a weekend.
- ATMs and online banking stay open on Veterans Day, so you can withdraw cash and manage your account from your phone or computer.
- Services that require a bank employee—such as wire transfers, loan applications, or account disputes—will be processed the next business day.
- Credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different holiday schedules, so check with your specific institution before Veterans Day.
- If you need cash or to make a payment before Veterans Day, plan ahead because branches will be closed.
What you can and cannot do on Veterans Day
On Veterans Day, you can use your debit card to make purchases, withdraw cash from any ATM (including those outside your bank), check your account balance online, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills through your bank's website or app. These functions do not require a bank employee and work the same way they do on any other day.
You cannot visit a branch to speak with a teller, deposit a check in person, open a new account, explore for a loan, dispute a transaction with a representative, or conduct any service that requires staff. If you need to deposit a check, most banks offer mobile deposit through their app—you photograph the front and back of the check and submit it electronically. The check will be processed when the bank reopens the next business day.
Wire transfers initiated on Veterans Day will not go out until the next business day. The same applies to cashier's checks, money orders, and any service that requires a teller or manager to process. If you need these services urgently, complete them before the holiday.
How to prepare if you need banking services around Veterans Day
If you know you will need to deposit a check, withdraw a large amount of cash, or conduct any in-person banking around Veterans Day, do it the business day before. This is the simplest way to avoid being caught without access to the service you need.
If you have a check to deposit and cannot get to a branch before Veterans Day, use mobile deposit through your bank's app instead. Take clear photos of both sides of the check in good lighting, and submit them through the app. The funds will typically be available within one to two business days after the bank reopens.
If you use a smaller bank or credit union, call ahead or check their website to confirm their Veterans Day schedule. Some regional institutions have different holiday policies than the major national banks. A five-minute call to your branch can save you a trip on the day you need banking services.
ATMs and online banking on Veterans Day
ATMs remain operational on Veterans Day because they do not require staff to function. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between accounts at any ATM, whether it belongs to your bank or another institution. If you use an out-of-network ATM, you may be charged a fee—check your account terms to see what that fee is.
Online banking and mobile apps work normally on Veterans Day. Log in to your bank's website or app to pay bills, transfer money, check balances, or set up alerts. These services run on the bank's servers and do not depend on branch staff being present. If you encounter a technical problem, customer service may not be available until the next business day, but the platform itself will be accessible.
Wire transfers and time-sensitive transactions
Wire transfers initiated on Veterans Day will not be sent until the next business day. This matters if you are paying a contractor, sending money to another country, or moving funds for a time-sensitive reason. The Federal Reserve does not process wire transfers on federal holidays, so even if you initiate the transfer online, it sits in a queue until banking resumes.
If you need to send money urgently and Veterans Day falls on a Friday, initiate the transfer on Thursday instead. If it falls on a Monday, send it on Friday. If you are not sure whether your transaction will be delayed, contact your bank before the holiday to ask how long the specific service takes.
Cashier's checks and money orders also require a teller to issue, so you cannot obtain these on Veterans Day. Plan ahead if you need either of these for a payment or settlement.
Credit unions and smaller banks
Most credit unions close on Veterans Day, but some remain open or have limited hours. The same applies to smaller regional banks and online-only banks. Check your institution's website or call your local branch to confirm whether they will be open on Veterans Day or its observed date.
Online banks that have no physical branches (such as Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover) do not have branch closures, but they may still delay processing of certain transactions until the next business day because the Federal Reserve itself is closed. Transfers to other banks, wire transfers, and ACH payments initiated on Veterans Day will process on the next business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant or ATM on Veterans Day because the transaction does not require your bank branch to be open. The purchase or withdrawal goes through when ready, and the bank processes it the next business day. You can also use your credit card normally.
What if I need to deposit a check on Veterans Day?
Use mobile deposit through your bank's app if available. Photograph both sides of the check in good lighting and submit it electronically. The check will be processed when the bank reopens, and funds are typically available within one to two business days. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, wait until the next business day to deposit in person or at an ATM.
Will my automatic bill payments go through on Veterans Day?
Automatic payments scheduled for Veterans Day will process normally if they are set up through your bank's bill pay system or through the merchant's automatic payment service. The transaction will be recorded on Veterans Day, though the actual fund transfer may settle the next business day depending on the type of payment.
Can I get a cashier's check on Veterans Day?
No. Cashier's checks require a teller to issue, and bank branches are closed on Veterans Day. If you need a cashier's check, obtain it the business day before. Some banks allow you to order a cashier's check online and pick it up at a branch, but you will need to do this before the holiday.
Do online banks close on Veterans Day?
Online-only banks do not have branch closures, but they still observe Veterans Day because the Federal Reserve is closed. Wire transfers, ACH payments, and other transactions that move money between banks will be delayed until the next business day. Basic account access and transfers between your own accounts work normally.